Committee refers bill to abolish Hamlin County road commission to State and Local

The Private Acts Committee voted to send House Bill 2,640 to the State and Local Committee after members and legal counsel reviewed how the measure would wind down the Hamlin County Road Commission.

Sponsor Representative Jim Eldridge described the bill as a phased abolition that would keep the commission intact until the end of current terms. Linda Noe, a long-time Hamlin County resident who testified against aspects of the draft, urged clarity about which provisions would be repealed and what would remain in force. "It seems to me there is some confusion…what is happening to the road commission duties and responsibilities that are found later in the act," Noe said. Legal counsel Doug Garrett told the committee the bill language repeals private acts going back to 1949 but noted a constitutional concern: "Article 11, section 9…prohibits abridgment of terms of elected officials," and recommended further review.

Representative Stevens summarized the bill’s structure: section 1 repeals prior private-act amendments, section 2 preserves current elected commissioners through 08/31/2028, and section 3 provides for an elected road superintendent to begin 09/01/2028 under the county uniform highway law. After that explanation, the committee clerk reported the vote to refer the bill to the State and Local Committee: 10 ayes, 0 noes. The referral carries a notation that the committee’s recommendation may be positive or negative at the next stage.